Shoe last



July 7, 1936.

T. F. WHITMORE ET AL SHOE LAST INVENTQRS. TieoioneFW/Zzim JZqRflozazsaraZZg, BY 1 QC ATTORNEY.

Original Filed July 5, 1952 i atentecl July 7, 1936 i'lED STATES SHOE LAST Theodore F. Whitmore and Ila R. Rounsaville, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application July 5, 1932, Serial No. 620,906 Renewed July 10, 1935 7 9 Claims. (01.12-123) This invention is a shoe last adapted for use in repairing worn shoes and fitting new shoes to the individual wearer; and has for its object to provide a structure having supporting surfaces conforming to the various parts of the shoe so as to present a rigid backing for the entire area of whatever part of the shoe is being worked upon.

It is a further object of the invention to arrange the various supporting surfaces for operative assembly within a compact space, and to adapt the assembly for interchanging and reassembling of parts so as to position the desired supporting surface for convenient mounting of a shoe thereon, whereby the desired portion of the shoe is readily accessible to the operator.

It is a further object of the invention to properly arrange the device as a portable structure adapted for ready disassembly of its parts so as to occupy but little space during transportation, and as readily assembled for use with the shoe supporting surfaces mounted on a standard which is supported by a base resting upon the floor and insuring rigid and stationary structure when the device is in use.

It is a still further object of the invention to arrange the different supporting surfaces so as to fit the complemental parts of shoes of various sizes, but to preferably provide certain of the units in two sizes so that the unit of each size is particularly adapted for use in connection with the range of sizes encountered respectively in mens and ladies shoes.

More particularly it is the object of the invention to provide supporting surfaces adapted for convenient engagement by complemental parts of a shoe without distorting that portion of the shoe which is not being worked upon, and respectively provides a supporting surface for working upon the counter seams and heel of a shoe, a supporting surface for working upon the vamp seams and the sole of a shoe, a surface for working upon the toe cap of a shoe, and a surface for Working upon the arch, heel and sole of a fiat-heel shoe.

Further objects of the invention will be readily understood from the following description of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations, looking respectively at opposite sides.

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary front elevations respectively showing different assemblies of the component units. 7

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. '7 and 8 are transverse sections on the line L4 and 88 respectively of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 9-9 5 of Fig. 5. The device is preferably portable and readily disassembled for transporting, but forming a conveniently assembled and rigid structure when in use. For this purpose a base I, preferably 10 provided with cushioning blocks 2, is adapted to rest upon the floor but may be readily moved from place to place, and a standard 3 is detachably mounted on the base and supports the various shoe engaging surfaces at a height con- 15 venient to the operator, who by placing his foot upon the base and resting his weight thereon readily keeps the entire structure stationary on the floor. The base i is preferably a circular plate and has an upstanding socket 4 at its 20 axis, adapted to detachably receive a cooperating tongue 5 at the lower end of standard 3. The cooperating tongue and socket preferably are adapted for longitudinal engagement so as to provide a tight wedging engagement whereby 25 the standard is rigidly supported with relation to the base and is held against detachment thereupon until some appreciable force is' exerted for withdrawing the tongue from the socket. 30 A cross-arm is detachably mounted on the upper end of standard 3, and has vertically lined sockets 6 and 1 respectively opening through the upper and lower faces of the cross-arm, and adapted for selective engagement by atongue 8 5 at the upper end of the standard, whereby the cross-arm may be mounted on the. standard, as shown in Fig. 1, or may be reversed as shown in Fig. 3. The cooperatingtongue and socket 8-B or 8-1 preferably taper, but a shoulder 9 at 0 the base of tongue 8 is adapted to engage the 1 mouth of its cooperating socket and the end of the tongue is adapted to engage the closed base [0 of its socket for limiting the wedging engagement between the tongue and socket so as 45 a to simply provide a snug fit which will hold the cross-arm rigid with relation to its standard, but without so wedging the tongue in the socket as to necessitate any appreciable force for removing the cross-arm. 50 It will thus be seen that the cross-arm may be removed from the standard by exerting such little force as will not disturb the tightly wedged tongue and socket engagement 54, at the lower end of the standard and which can only 55 be disengaged by exerting some appreciable force; and consequently when the device is once operatively assembled, there is no liability of inadvertently disconnecting the base and standard when it is desired to merely interchange and reverse the cross-arms which'are mounted on the upper end of the standard. 1 s I The cross arm preferably comprises shanks l Il2 projecting laterally from opposite sides of its socket structure, with the; shank ll terminating in a knob'l ii which is used when working upon the counterseams or heel of a shoe,

andthe shank l2 being downwardly inclined as shown at it and terminating in an enlargement l5 which is used when working upon the vamp scams or the sole of a sh0e.-

' The knob I3 is a truncated ellipsoid formihga fiat elliptical surface I 6 at its outer end as. shown in Fig. 2 and against which the heel portion of a shoe is adapted to rest with'the cour'iter of the shoe received over the knob l3 as shown in Fig. l; and the cross-sectional and longitudinal curvatures of the upper and lowerportions of the ellipsoid 13 are symmetrical and conform to the curve ofthe counter of a shoe as shown at H, so as to provide a complemental backing for the counter when thecros's-arnr is in either the position shown in Fig. I or that "shown'in Fig. 4. A shoe, irrespective'of its size,

may thus be readily mounted on the knob l3 with the surface 16 and. I1 forming a complemental backing for the heel and the counter of the shoe, thereby providing for conveniently workingupon the heel, but more particularly applicable for smoothing out the counter seams of a shoe so as to insure a comfortable fit.

The enlargement 15 at the end of shank l2 preferably projects upwardly at a slight angle fromthe'depending shank-end l4, and is of a' shape to snugly fit'within the vampof a shoe. For this purpose the enlargement, I5 forms a substantially flat bottom surface I8 tapering to' a toe i9 at its forward'end as shown in Fig;

3, and rearwardly from the toe, the body of the enlargement gradually tapers to an increasingwidth and thickness as shown in Figs. 1 and [3, so as to form a tapering curved surface 20.

The vamp of a' shoe, irrespective of its size,.is

' thus adapted to be drawn over the enlargement l 5 and wedged thereon, before the toe of the last engages the toe of the shoe, as'shown in Fig. 1; with'the' surface l8 forming a flat complemental backing 'for the sole of the shoeand the sur-'- face 20 conforming to the contour of and forming a complemental backing for the vamp of I the shoe. As shown in Figs. .1 and 8 the vamp seams of a shoe maythus be readilysmoothed "out,"using the'surface 26 as a backing, and" by reversing the cross-arm as shown in Fig; 4, and using the surface "lB'as a backing, the sole of the shoe maybe worked upon for smoothing I out irregularities, limbering the sole, etc; it "being noted that during theseoperations and particularly in the case of ladies shoes which have a'hi'gh arch, the angularly disposedshank-end i4 affords ample clearance between thesupportfling shank and the rear portion of the shoe as fshown' in Fig. 1, so that the shoe may be'readily V *operatively positioned without distortion.

, Means; are also provided for breaking down expreferably angularly offset as shown at 24 and which terminates in an enlargement, 25. 'The enlargement 25 is adapted for reception in the toe box' of a shoe as shownin Fig. 3; with the angular offset 24 readily. permitting such as-' sembly with ample clearance between the rear portion of the shoe and the supporting shank- 23; and the enlargement 25 has a tapering and rounded end 26, and in rear of its rounded end is, in cross-sections, an elongated'rectangle hav ing its. corners rounded off as shown at 21. The rounded end 26 is adapted to stretch the toe box of a shoe by forcing the shoe downwardly over the enlargementli, and by then twisting the shoe from side to side on the en- 1 largement, 25 aswill be understood byreference to Fig.; 7, the diagonally opposite pairs of V rounded corners'Z'I wedge in the toebox alter nately-albng the lines AA'and BB, so as-to distort and thereby soften and stretch the. toe fbox. Fig. ;7 shows the shoe twisted in that direction for stretching the'toe box along the i diagonal A-A.

The invention also provides a supporting surrace for flat heel shoes such as mens shoes and ladies sportshoeswith said. supporting surface conforming to the arch of the shoeand therebyfitting snugly against the entire length of the shoe, so that. without distorting the shoe either its sole, heel or arch may be worked upon againstfthe com'plemental backing which 'is 1 formed by the supporting surface, thus particularly providing means'whereby the stiffness such as are now usually provided in the arches of flat-heelshoesmay berestored to their original contour i'n the event that their curvature has been broken down.

As. an instance of this arrangement .a shank 30 is provided with a tongue '3I which is adapted for reception in the upwardly opening socket 6 or. '1 of the previously described cross-arm. structure; it being understood that the shanks 23' and I 30 .are'interchangeably employed,'and that which ever element it is desired to use is detachably, q

mounted on the cross-arm as shown in Figs. 1"

and 5 respectively. The tongue 3| tapers to'con- V form to sockets 6l; and as previously described in connection 'with the tongue andsocket enin 32 and 33 respectively, and are adapted to seat cooperating socket, so as to limit their reception V gagements 8-6 and 8"|,' the tongues 22 and'3l z. V are preferably shouldered at their bases as shown" V at said shoulders and against the base lilof their in their cooperating socket to simply a snug fit,

and not a tight wedging' engagement, whereby either the shank Her 30 is held'rigidly. in place, but may be readily removed without exerting 'such appreciable force as would be liable to ac cidentally disengage the tight wedging; engage-,

ment at the tongue and socket5-'-4 which is pro vided between basal and standard 3.

The shank 30 supports a laterally projecting abutmentelement 35 over which a flat-heel shoe is adapted to be received with the abutment ele-t;

ment forming acomplemental backing for the sole, shank and heel ofthe shoe. For this pur-' pose-the working surface of the-abutment element conforms in plan view to the outline of the sole, shank. and heel; and below saidrworking" surface the abutment element is curved'in both longitudinal and cross-section so as to merge into the supporting shank 30 as shown inFigs. 5 and 6', with a definite vertical" web 36, extending... longitudinally of the forward portion of the" abutment element for strengthening the entire structure as shown in Fig. 9.

The sole portion 31 of the working surface of theabutment element 35 curves downwardly at its rear end and merges into the shank portion 38 of the working surface,'and the shank portion 38 curves upwardly at its rear end and merges into a slightly curved-heel portion 39, but the general direction of each of the slightly curved surfaces 31, 38, and 39, is substantially horizontal; whereby both the sole portion 31 and the heel portion 39 are higher than the shank portion 38, and the sole portion 31 is higher than the heel portion 39, thereby conforming the entire working surface to the natural contour of the bottom of a shoe as shown in Fig. 5, so as to form a complemental backing for working upon any part'of the bottom of a shoe, irrespective of the size of the shoe, and particularly providing a shank depression between the heel and sole so that the shank of the shoe may be worked down into said depression for restoring its normal arched contour.

It will be apparent that all of the various supporting surfaces for the different parts of a shoe are adapted to form complemental backings for shoes of different size, for example the curvature and taper of the elements l3 and I5 is such that shoes of difierent size will snugly fit the same by being drawn a greater or less distance over said elements, but in practice it may be desired to furnish elements such as l3, l5, and 35 in a plurality of sizes, particularly adapted for mens and ladies shoes respectively. As an instance of this arrangement the cross-arm shown in Figs. 1 and 4 has elements I3 and 15 of a size particularly adapted for ladies shoes-While Fig. 5 shows a similar and interchangeable cross-arm having elements l3a and l5a of a larger size particularly adapted for mens shoes. The abutment element 35 which is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is also of a size particularly adapted for mens shoes, and a similar element (not shown) of smaller size for ladies shoes may be supplied for interchangeable use in connection with the crossarm shown in Figs. 1 and 3. V

The invention thus provides a simple and inexpensive device, which within a compact space and by various assemblies of interchangeable units provides a complemental backing snugly fitting the contour of any desired part of a shoe, with the various elements readily assembled, interchanged, replaced and disassembled, .and when operatively assembled providing a strong and rigid structure, particularly as a result of the reception of tongues 22 and 3| in sockets B or 1 whereby the tongues form with their shanks an extremely strong structure avoiding any possibility of breakage at the junction of the tongues with their shanks. It will also be noted that the tongues 5, 8, 22, and 3| are cross-sectionally appreciably elongated so that their width is in the plane of the lateral projection of shanks l l-l2, so that strain on the assembled structure when using any of its various supporting surfaces, isopposed by the appreciable width of the tongues, in order to insure an extremely sturdy assembly.

We claim:

1. In combination, a base, a standard adapted for detachable mounting on the base by means of cooperating tapering tongue and groove elements arranged for such engagement of said tapering elements as to insure a relatively tight wedging mounting, and a shoe last adapted. for

detachable mounting on the standard, said last mentioned detachable mounting comprising a cooperating tapering tongue and groove adapted for snug wedging engagement but having means for limiting their relative -movement to engaging 5 position so as to restrict the wedging engagement whereby said last mentioned detachable mounting is adapted for ready disengagement by exerting such little strain thereonas will not disengagethe-first mentioned tight wedging mounting. 10 2. In combination, a standard terminating in a tongue, a transverse member having sockets in its upper and lower faces, one of' said sockets being adapted to receive'the tongue for mounting the transverse member on the standard, the 15 transverse member having a supporting surface conforming to a part of a shoe, and a member having a tongue adapted for reception in the other socket, said member having a supporting surface conforming to a different part of a shoe. 2

3. A shoe last comprising a tapering enlargement adapted for reception in a shoe and having opposite surfaces, one of which conforms to the vamp portion of the shoe and the other of which forms a solid backing for the sole of the shoe, the 25 larger end of the tapering enlargement being of a dimension between said opposite surfaces and in comparison with the length of the last whereby said enlargement fits snugly and wedges in the vamp of the shoe before the end of the last 3 engages the toe of the shoe.

4. In combination, a transverse shank, an enlargement at one end of the shank comprising a truncated ellipsoid forming a flat elliptical surface at its outer end, an offset at the opposite end of the shank terminating in a tapering enlargement adapted to fit snugly within the vamp of a shoe and having a fiat bottom surface adapted to engage the sole of the shoe, and means for selectively mounting the transverse shank with said flat bottom surface turned upwardly or downwardly, the truncated ellipsoid providing a curved surface at its upper side irrespective of said selective mounting of the transverse shank.

5. In combination, a standard, and a shoe last having means for detachably mounting it relative to the standard and comprising an enlargement substantially rectangular cross-section with its corners rounded off and-tapering at its end for reception in the toe of a shoe, whereby twisting the shoe on the enlargement is adapted to exert pressure against the toe box.

6. In combination, a standard, and a shoe last having means for detachably mounting it rela- 55 tive to the standard and comprising a vertically disposed shank having an offset end termining in a vertically disposed elongated enlargement substantially rectangular in cross-section with its corners rounded off and tapering at its end for 60 elliptical surface at its outer end, an enlargement at the opposite end of the shank having opposite 0 surfaces respectively conforming to different partsof a shoe, and means for selectively mounting the transverse shank on the standard with" 1 either of said opposite surfaces turned upwardly,

the truncated ellipsoid providing a curved sur- 7 1mounting of thetransverse shank.

face at its upper side irrespective of said selective 8. In combination, a standard terminating in a tongue, a transversemember having sockets in the tongue for mounting the transverse'member on the standard so that either the sole or vamp surfaceof the transverse member is uppermost."

9. In combination, a standard, atransverse shank on the standard, an en argement atone end of the shank forming-a flat surface at its outer end and having a curved-surface extending T from the flat surface along the length of the err-t largement, whereby th reaitrportion of a shoe is i adapted for reception on the enlargementlvvith the heel of the shoe against the flat end surface and the counter ofthe shoereceived against-the curved surface of the enlargement, and antenlargement' at the opposite end of the adapted for reception within the vamp portion of a shoe.

ILA R. ROUNSAVIILE.

THEODORE F. wHI' 'MoRE. 

